Smooth Skin Basics

Keep skin feeling healthy as
warmer days change into cool and crisp ones. Though we all revel in the
lower temperatures, drier air can leave your face and hands in need of
some moisture. Here's how to make sure your skin reaps maximum benefits.

• Supple, well-hydrated skin often correlates with youthful
  vitality.
• Healthful skin habits, such as using mild cleansers,
  limiting bath time and moisturizing regularly may help prevent bouts of
  eczema (inflammation of the skin).
• Many of the moisturizers on the market today offer sun
  protection and also soothe irritated skin.

Time to exfoliate

Exfoliating before rinsing off during your bath allows you to
get rid of dead skin cells, but it's not always necessary. "Only
certain parts of the body need to be exfoliated during the fall --
mainly the elbows, knees and feet," Dr. Draelos explains. "Remember
that dry skin should be moisturized and not exfoliated." She adds that
you only need to exfoliate your face once a week.

Careful cleansing

Keep skin soft and smooth by using soaps with added oils or
moisturizers. Although refreshing, soaking in a bath does have its
disadvantages. Skin can lose protective oils when you stay in water too
long, so try to limit bath time to 15 minutes.

Choosing the right
cleanser is especially
important if you enjoy sudsy soaks. "Bath salts and bubble baths are
best thought of as aesthetic products that make the bath more
pleasurable," dermatologist Zoe Draelos explains. "They have no
beneficial effect on your skin."

For face care, Dr. Draelos recommends a mild facial cleanser
every
morning. She suggests using a stronger cleanser in the evening to
remove cosmetics.

Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize

Once you're clean, follow up with a good moisturizer. Look for
lotions containing petrolatum, shea butter or cholesterol.

Keep your face looking fresh by applying a moisturizer with
sunscreen every morning (Dr. Draelos says SPF 15 should be sufficient
for mild weather). Go for a heavier moisturizer at night. Your skin
will thank you for the extra TLC.

Source: Southern Living.
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